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Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid Vs. Chevy Volt

By Justin Cupler|March 31st, 2019

Plug-in hybrids are a great bridge to full-electric vehicles, as they give owners enough EV range for their daily commute and a gasoline backup engine for longer trips. The 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid and 2019 Chevy Volt offer our Rochester area buyers just that. While their powertrains are similar, they are aimed at different buyers. Which vehicle is best for you? Find out below.

Exterior

Advanced-powertrain vehicles like the 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid and 2019 Chevy Volt were once wildly styled, but they have since become more toned down. The 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid still has a little of that wild styling with its aero-enhancing wheel skirts, but it is otherwise quite traditional looking with a lot of its design cues trickling down directly from the Honda Accord.

The 2019 Chevy Volt also has a traditional sedan look, but its design is even less like one that has an advanced powertrain. It boasts the looks of a typical sedan, but it also has a dose of sportiness to tune it toward the younger crowd. The large, silver grille insert may turn off some buyers, but it is still a great-looking sedan.

Both electrified sedans have a host of premium exterior features, including standard LED headlights, taillights, and turn signals, upscale wheels, and more.

In terms of sizing, the 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid is significantly larger than the Volt. This is especially in length where it is 12.3 inches longer than the Volt.

Measurement

2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid

2019 Chevy Volt

Difference

Length

192.7 inches

180.4 inches

+12.3 inches

Width

73.9 inches

71.2 inches

+2.7 inches

Height

58.2 inches

56.4 inches

+1.8 inches

Wheelbase

108.3 inches

106.1 inches

+2.2 inches

Ground Clearance

Curb weight

4,052 to 4,059 pounds

3,543 pounds

+509 to +516 pounds

Advantage: 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid

Accord-like styling

Upscale look

Tons of premium features

Advantage: 2019 Chevy Volt

Smaller footprint makes it easier to park

Sporty looks

Interior

Inside, the 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid and 2019 Chevy Volt continue with their more traditional styling, but they target different demographics. The 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid’s cabin boasts a horizontally oriented dash that features satin-chrome details, a floating touchscreen, a push-button gear shifter, and more. Nothing in here screams “advanced powertrain” other than the economy gauges.

The 2019 Chevy Volt’s interior, like its exterior, is sportier than the Clarity’s. The 2019 Volt’s cabin boasts swoopier lines, a sporty three-spoke steering wheel, a traditional gear shifter, and more. Though it is sportier than the Clarity, nothing makes this cabin over the top or overstyled.

In terms of size, the 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid is significantly roomier than the Volt. There is not a single key interior measurement that the Volt wins, but the size difference is most evident in the rear where the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid has an extra 1.3 inches of headroom, 1.5 inches of legroom, 4.1 inches of shoulder room, and 4.3 inches of hip room.

Measurement

2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid

2019 Chevy Volt

Difference

Front headroom

39.1 inches

37.8 inches

+1.3 inches

Front legroom

42.2 inches

42.1 inches

+0.1 inches

Front shoulder room

59.7 inches

56.5 inches

+3.2 inches

Front hip room

55.8 inches

53.7 inches

+2.1 inches

Rear headroom

37.1 inches

35.8 inches

+1.3 inches

Rear legroom

36.2 inches

34.7 inches

+1.5 inches

Rear shoulder room

57.3 inches

53.2 inches

+4.1 inches

Rear hip room

55.6 inches

51.3 inches

+4.3 inches

Luggage capacity

15.5 cubic feet

10.6 cubic feet

+4.9 cubic feet

Advantage: 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid

Significantly larger interior

Nearly 5 cubic feet more trunk space

Premium-looking cabin

Advantage: 2019 Chevy Volt

Swoopy, sporty cabin

Performance

Green cars are no longer the slugs they once were, as more automakers work toward perfecting electric motors and batteries. The 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid and 2019 Chevy Volt both have respectable performance numbers from their electric powerplants.

The Clarity milks 212 horsepower from its powertrain that launches it to 60 mph in a surprisingly quick 7.5 seconds in independent testing. The Volt is about a second slower at 8.4 seconds to 60 mph.

Where these models shine is their efficiency. The Clarity Plug-In Hybrid delivers 110 mpg-e in electric mode and 42 mpg combined in hybrid mode. The 2019 Volt is less efficient in electric mode at 106 mpg-e, but its combined rating in range-extended mode matches the Clarity’s combined hybrid rating. In EV range, the Clarity delivers a respectable 47 miles of range, but the Volt’s higher-capacity battery beats that by 6 miles.

2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid

2019 Chevy Volt

Difference

Engine

1.4-liter 4-cyl

1.5-liter 4-cyl generator

Horsepower

103 hp at 5,500 rpm

Torque

99 lb-ft at 5,000 rpm

Electric Motor

AC permanent magnet

Second-generation Voltec electric drive

Horsepower

181 hp at 5,000 to 6,000 rpm

149 hp

+32 hp

Torque

232 lb-ft at 0 to 2,000 rpm

294 lb-ft

-62 lb-ft

Total horsepower

212 hp

149 hp

+63 hp

Total torque

294 lb-ft

Transmission

CVT

Single-speed

Driveline

FWD

FWD

0-60 time

7.5 seconds

8.4 seconds

-0.9 seconds

Lateral acceleration

0.78 g

0.84 g

–0.06 g

Battery capacity

17 kilowatt-hours

18.4 kilowatt-hours

-1.4 kilowatt-hours

Electric range

47 miles*

53 miles

-6 miles

Electric MPG

110 mpg-e*

106 mpg-e

+4 mpg-e

MPG City

44 mpg*

MPG Highway

40 mpg*

MPG Combined

42 mpg*

42 mpg

Charge time

2.5 hrs at 240 volts***

12 hrs at 120 volts***

2.25 to 4.5 hrs at 240 volts

13 hrs at 120 volts

-2 to +0.25 hrs at 240 volts

–1 hr at 120 volts

Advantage: 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid

Big power horsepower advantage

Significantly quicker to 60 mph

More all-electric efficiency

Quicker charging time

Advantage: 2019 Chevy Volt

Longer EV range

Better handling

Pricing and Features

The 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid comes in just two trim levels — base and Touring — with starting prices ranging from $33,400 to $36,600.

There are also just two trims that make up the 2019 Chevy Volt lineup: LT and Premier. Their starting prices are $34,395 and $38,995, respectively.

2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid Key Features and Pricing by Trim

Base: $33,400**

1.5-liter four-cylinder engine

AC permanent-magnet electric motor

17-kilowatt-hour battery

6.6-kilowatt onboard charger

Continuously variable transmission

Electric parking brake

Hill-start assist

Remote preconditioning

Electric power steering

Four-wheel disc brakes

18-inch aerodynamically enhanced wheels

LED daytime running lights

LED taillights

LED turn signals

LED headlights with auto-on/off

Dual-zone automatic climate control

Keyless ignition

HomeLink universal home remote

Auto-dimming rearview mirror

One-touch-up/down power windows

Tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel

Steering-wheel-mounted controls

Front illuminated vanity mirrors

LED map lights

Sunglasses holder

Front and rear 12-volt power outlets

Floor mats

Heated front seats

60/40 split-folding rear seats

Eight-speaker, 180-watt audio system

8-inch high-resolution touchscreen

HondaLink

Apple CarPlay

Android Auto

SiriusXM radio

HD Radio

Bluetooth connectivity with audio streaming

Pandora compatibility

SMS text messaging

One 1-amp and one 1.5-amp USB ports in the center console

Body-color rear spoiler

Smart entry with walk-away auto lock

Body-color, power mirrors

Variable-intermittent windshield wipers

Remote keyless entry

Multi-angle rearview camera with dynamic guidelines

Forward collision warning

Lane-departure warning

Lane-keep assist

Adaptive cruise control

Honda LaneWatch

Automatic emergency braking

Road-departure mitigation

Touring: $36,600**

All Base features, plus

Leather-wrapped steering wheel

Eight-way power driver’s seat

Two-position driver’s seat memory

Four-way power passenger’s seat

Perforated leather seats

Navigation with Honda HD Digital Traffic

2019 Chevy Volt Key Features and Pricing by Trim

LT: $34,395

1.5-liter four-cylinder generator

Electric motor

18.4-kilowatt-hour battery

3.6-kilowatt onboard charger

Normal, Sport, Mountain, and Hold driving modes

Electric power steering

Electric parking brake

Regen On Demand paddle

17-inch five-spoke painted-aluminum wheels

Body-color power mirrors

Intermittent windshield wipers

LED daytime running lights

LED headlights

LED taillights

4G LTE Wi-Fi

Six-speaker audio system

8-inch touchscreen

Chevy Infotainment 3 Plus

Bluetooth connectivity with audio streaming

Voice recognition

In-vehicle apps

Apple CarPlay

Android Auto

Cargo cover

Front visors with vanity mirrors

Front and rear floor mats

Keyless entry and ignition

LED ambient lighting

Location-based charging

Manual tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel

OnStar

Power door locks

Two 12-volt power outlets

Power windows with one–touch-up/down driver’s

Remote ignition

Cloth upholstery

Single-zone automatic climate control

Steering-wheel-mounted controls

Two USB ports in center stack

Vinyl shift knob

Vinyl steering wheel

Six-way manual front seats

60/40 split-folding rear seat

HD rearview camera

Teen Driver

Premier: $38,995

All LT features, plus

7.2-kilowatt onboard charger

17-inch Ultra-Bright machined aluminum wheels with painted pockets

Heated mirrors

Heated front seats

Heated outboard rear seats

Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel

Leather-wrapped shift knob

Six-way power driver’s seat

Semi-autonomous parking

Bose eight-speaker audio system

Illuminated vanity mirrors

Auto-dimming rearview mirror

Who Should Buy the 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid?

Buyers looking for a reserved look and traditional feel will appreciate that the Clarity Plug-In Hybrid offers. The 2019 Clarity Plug-In Hybrid may have a shorter EV range, but its efficiency will benefit buyers with shorter commutes.

Who Should Buy the 2019 Chevy Volt?

Buyers who seek a sportier model will find the Volt’s looks right up their alley. Also, its lower-placed battery pack and sportier chassis delivers better performance in the corners.

Whether you commute to Rochester daily or just need to cruise to Henrietta or Pittsford for a weekend trip, the 2019 Honda Clarity Plug-In Hybrid will get you there efficiently and in style. Stop by Garber Honda serving the Rochester area today for a test drive. Can’t make it to our showroom today? Stop by our online inventory page to find the 2019 Clarity Plug-In Hybrid model that suits your needs and call us to schedule a test drive for later.